With a creak, the room door opened, and an elderly woman who looked to be in her sixties walked in.
This person was Lu Qianqian’s current mother, Old Madam Lu. In truth, she was only forty-five years old, but women from the countryside often looked much older than they really were.
When she wasn’t smiling, the old lady looked rather fierce. But when it came to her youngest daughter, she doted on her with all her heart.
“Qianqian, are you still feeling unwell anywhere? If you’re uncomfortable, Mother will go get a doctor for you,” Old Madam Lu asked with a face full of concern.
“Mother, I had a very frightening dream.”
Lu Qianqian was definitely not the original owner of this body anymore. Her personality was nothing like the original Lu Qianqian’s. Since she needed a reason for the change, she decided to use the dream as an excuse.
Hearing that her daughter had a nightmare, Old Madam Lu quickly stepped forward and touched her forehead.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Mother is here. Those demons and evil spirits better not think about troubling our Qianqian. Don’t be scared!”
Feeling the gentle hand stroking her head, Lu Qianqian suddenly felt a warm feeling rise in her heart. Although she knew Old Madam Lu cared for the former Lu Qianqian, from now on, she herself would be Lu Qianqian — Old Madam Lu’s real daughter.
Since she had taken over the original owner’s body, then she would properly care for her parents. She could treat it as the price for using this body.
“Mother, I dreamed that many people disliked me. Even after getting married, I still lived badly, and I even dragged you and Father down with me. In the future, I’ll definitely work on changing my temper.”
Lu Qianqian leaned against Old Madam Lu’s chest as she spoke softly.
Old Madam Lu had always been strong-willed, and since she only had one daughter, of course she spoiled her dearly. She originally wanted to say that her daughter could do whatever she pleased, but when she heard the mention of marriage, she swallowed the words back down.
A mother knew her daughter best. Right now, while she and the old man were still alive, they could protect her. But once they were gone, who knew what would happen?
“Alright, alright. Mother will listen to you,” Old Madam Lu said. “You’ve slept all day. Are you hungry? Mother made steamed egg custard for you. Wash up first, eat, then get some more rest.”
“Okay!”
Lu Qianqian really liked Old Madam Lu’s personality — the unconditional love she gave the original owner.
Old Madam Lu brought hot water for her daughter to wash up with while she herself went to the kitchen to fetch the steamed egg custard.
Just as Lu Qianqian changed clothes and prepared to wash her face, she heard Old Madam Lu’s booming scolding voice outside.
“You bunch of lazy good-for-nothings! Can’t you see all the work waiting around the house? What are you all hiding in your rooms for? Get out here and work! The livestock are still waiting to be fed, and all you do every day is stir up trouble. Can’t do any work at all, huh? If you don’t want to stay in the Lu family, then get back to your maiden homes!”
Listening to the nonstop stream of curses, Lu Qianqian couldn’t help but admire the old lady.
No wonder the original owner had grown up spoiled and arrogant. With Old Madam Lu around, there was no need for her to do anything at all. She only needed to complain a little, and everything would be handled for her.
After washing up, Lu Qianqian stepped out of her room.
The Lu family house was shaped like a “凹.” The main building contained the central hall used for meals and receiving guests. To the left was the old couple’s room, and to the right was Lu Qianqian’s room.
On the right side beyond the main house lived Eldest Brother Lu Zhengguo and Second Brother Lu Zhengjun with their families. On the opposite side lived Third Brother Lu Zhenghui and his new wife.
Beside Lu Zhenghui’s room were the storage room and kitchen.
Lu Qianqian looked around the courtyard. Just as the system had said, plants were truly scarce in this world. Very little greenery could be seen anywhere.
Of course, she remembered that the Lu family did grow some vegetables in the backyard, though they were only things like cabbage and greens. They didn’t even have the most basic white radishes.
“Qianqian, don’t just stand there. Come eat your steamed egg custard while it’s hot, then go back and rest properly,” Old Madam Lu called out when she saw her standing by the door.
“Coming!”
After Lu Qianqian sat down, Old Madam Lu pushed the bowl toward her.
“It’s still hot. Hurry and eat.”
The steamed egg custard was silky smooth and looked delicious. On top was some kind of fragrant oil, though Lu Qianqian had no idea what it was made from.
After all, this world had neither sesame nor rapeseed.
“Thank you, Mother,” Lu Qianqian said out of habit.
Old Madam Lu froze for a moment, but then remembered her daughter saying she wanted to change. It seemed she truly meant it.
“There’s no need to be polite with Mother.”
Lu Qianqian smiled without saying more. Old Madam Lu was utterly obsessed with spoiling her daughter. The fact that she could already accept her daughter trying to change her temper was impressive enough.
Just as she picked up her spoon to eat the egg custard, she heard several loud swallowing sounds.
Looking up, she saw several little heads peeking from the doorway, their eyes filled with envy.
Following Lu Qianqian’s gaze, Old Madam Lu immediately darkened her face and started scolding again.
“What are you all still doing here? Hurry up and go cut grass! Staring at your aunt while she eats — every one of you acting greedy!”
Hearing the scolding, the children immediately ran off skillfully, clearly already used to it.
Lu Qianqian felt rather helpless, but she figured she could slowly change things over time.
“Qianqian, hurry and eat. Mother’s going out now. Your father and the others are still working in the fields, and Mother has to go too. After you finish eating, go lie down and rest. If you still feel unwell, tell Mother and I’ll have your eldest brother go into town to fetch a doctor.”
“I know, Mother. Go ahead.”
After Old Madam Lu left, everyone else also went out to work, leaving Lu Qianqian alone at home.
Ever since waking up, she had been hungry, so she quickly finished the steamed egg custard. Truly natural eggs tasted wonderful.
After eating, Lu Qianqian washed the bowl, then wandered around the house while sorting through the memories in her mind.
It seemed this family was not wealthy at all. With so many mouths to feed, after paying grain taxes each year, the harvest only barely kept the Lu family from starving.
As for Lu Qianqian having her own room, everything inside — the bed, table, stools, and dressing table — had been handmade for her by her father and brothers after they chopped wood from the mountains.
One reason Lu Qianqian wasn’t liked in Xinghua Village was because she was the only girl who never had to do housework. Although not every family in the village spoiled daughters as much as Old Madam Lu did, there were still families who loved their daughters dearly. Even so, those girls still helped with chores they were capable of doing.
But Lu Qianqian was like a pampered young miss, doing absolutely nothing. Even her clothes were washed by her sisters-in-law.
Naturally, someone like Lu Qianqian was also difficult to marry off. She was already fifteen years old — old enough for marriage arrangements — but no one dared marry her. Families simply couldn’t afford a daughter-in-law like that.
This, however, was exactly what Lu Qianqian was most satisfied about.
At only fifteen years old, why get married? She was still just a child. Maybe when she turned twenty, she could consider it then.